Illinois Department of Agriculture news
The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced an intrastate testing requirement for lactating dairy cattle participating in livestock exhibitions in Illinois to minimize the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The Illinois Beef Association is focused on outreach to all sectors of the beef industry.
The Illinois General Assembly approved a record $53.1 billion spending plan that included some good and bad news for agriculture-related programs.
Dakarai Howard focuses on urban agriculture and food systems as the senior policy adviser for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Legislation that has bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly and from diverse groups was introduced this spring and awaits votes in each chamber.
Nineteen local food projects were awarded grants aimed at strengthening the local food system and increase access to agricultural products grown and raised in Illinois.
Daily in-person and virtual events packed the Illinois Soil Health Week docket, including two days at the state capitol.
A celebration of agriculture that crossed generations kicked off the 54th annual Illinois Agricultural Legislative Day. The event drew nearly 50 diverse agricultural organizations and about 1,000 FFA members together to meet with lawmakers.
The alphabet soup of diverse conservation funding for farmers was the focus of one of the breakout sessions during the recent Soybean Summit.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture plans to distribute more than $545,000 over a three-year period thanks to funding allocated in the Specialty Crop Block Grant program in the federal farm bill.
The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts announced the appointment of Michael Woods as its new CEO.
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy’s biennial report featured what’s been done and what needs to be done in the non-point source sector.
Illinois Department of Agriculture is implementing its fifth year of the Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program. Funding of eligible acreage is on a first come, first served basis. The deadline for applications is Jan. 15.
The Illinois agriculture industry would not be where it is today without the hard work, time and efforts put forth by passionate leaders. In appreciation of these leaders’ efforts, the Illinois Soybean Association created its annual Achievement Awards.
University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced the 2024 Certified Livestock Manager Training workshop schedule.
To commemorate the company’s long-term commitment to the state of Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a proclamation naming 2023 as the 85th anniversary of Prairie Farms Dairy.
Bipartisan legislation that creates the Healthy Soils Initiative and commits to improved coordination between the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Soil and Water Conservation Districts was signed into law.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation establishing the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program to expand resources for food bank systems across the state while supporting local farmers.
Visitors to the Department of Agriculture tent during the first weekend of the Illinois State Fair were treated to the diversity of locally grown food and products.
Visitors to the Illinois State Fair that kicked off this week and runs through Sunday, Aug. 20, will see numerous infrastructure improvements and more on the horizon.
As the National FFA eastern region vice president, Gracie Murphy has met members and been involved in events across the nation, including eight state conventions.
Three finalists have been selected for the inaugural Illinois Leopold Conservation Award.
The recent tragic events on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois, on May 1 had many people discussing what could have or should have been done.
Breaking the stigma of mental health issues is one aspect of helping those who are challenged with stressful situations.
Representatives from nearly 50 diverse agricultural organizations met with lawmakers at the state capitol during the 53rd annual Illinois Ag Legislative Day.
If you asked the five Illinois FFA state officers where they would be on any given night during February and March, each answer would be different each time.
In the state capitol, just a few miles from his former office as director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and from the state capitol building, where he once strolled as president of Illinois Farm Bureau, Philip Nelson returned to the podium to speak to an ag audience.
The successes by farmers and the accomplishments by the state’s Department of Agriculture were highlighted to open the Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable.
A support system is available to help the Illinois farming community. “The farmer mental health initiative is incredibly important,” said Krista Lisser, public information officer at Illinois Department of Agriculture, at the Conservation Cropping Seminar.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Agriculture shared accomplishments made in 2022 to support the state’s No. 1 industry.
When it comes to showing the benefits of cover crops, for Joey Deloian of the Rock Island County Soil and Water Conservation District, the proof is in the planting.
Local food and specialty crop growers are joining forces for Illinois’ largest conference focused on bolstering the local food supply chain.
For the past year, Thomas Titus has added “president” to his already lengthy list of titles that include dad, husband, showpig producer and pork producer. Titus has served as president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association.
Illinois will use $14.4 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding to buy locally produced food and distribute it to those in need, according to state officials.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture, along with University of Illinois Extension, is hosting its annual Certified Livestock Manager Training.
The Illinois Soybean Association hosted its first ever Impact Awards banquet. The evening was full of celebration, recognition and reflecting upon everything ISA has been able to accomplish in 2022.
Despite a rough start weather-wise and higher prices for fertilizer and other supplies, farmers appear to be doing OK this season as a late harvest gets into full swing.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Human Services worked jointly to secure U.S. Department of Agriculture funding that provides new opportunities for underserved farmers and communities.
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program remains a trusted resource for children to learn about agriculture, and the program recently received funding to continue classroom lessons thanks to IAA Foundation grants to local county coalitions.
Many Illinois farmers, including myself, are eagerly waiting to see how this year’s crop turns out. That’s the name of the game when it comes to farming: You make the best management decisions you can, learn from previous harvests and look to improve next year’s results.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced the approval of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and Conservation Planning Assistance grant agreement.
Farmers were encouraged to give cover crops a try at the Marshall-Putnam Farm Bureau Nutrient Loss Stewardship Field Day.
Anhydrous ammonia safety courses will begin at several locations across Illinois. The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association partnered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to offer the mandatory safety courses throughout the state.
Promoting homegrown food provided the centerpiece at the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s tent at the state fair. During the opening weekend of the fair, free local food samples were provided at an artisan market.
Crop insurance protection, market access and nutrition programs were among the top priorities expressed in a farm bill listening session held during the Illinois State Fair’s Agriculture Day.
The centennial of the Du Quoin State Fair is being honored in many ways when the fair kicks off, and one of the ways is a slate of significant improvements to the historic Perry County venue that has hosted the fair and many other events, the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.
From its signature event — horse racing — to the fair itself, the Du Quoin State Fair has survived to celebrate 100 years. This year’s event is marking 100 years of being the state fair for southern Illinois in several significant ways.
Local farmers and agricultural industry leaders came together for Illinois Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin’s Agriculture Advisory Committee meeting at Stewart Farms in Yorkville.
Finding points of commonality and developing strong partnerships between groups that may not always agree has been a strong suit in the Prairie State’s nutrient loss reduction efforts.
The Illinois State Fair, an 11-day showcase of agriculture and family fun, kicked off Aug. 11 with the theme “Grow With Us.”